From the ruins of a Norman castle to peaceful walks across the North Downs, Eynsford is a village with a remarkable amount to see within walking distance of the railway station.
I’m a keen walker and photographer, and I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know this part of Kent both as a long-time resident and through my local community work for Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership. One of my favourite things about Eynsford is how easily you can combine a wander around the historic village with a walk into the surrounding countryside, or even continue to another village and catch the train home from there.
If you’re planning a day out in Eynsford, here are the places and routes I’d recommend, including a few ideas for exploring beyond the best-known sights.
The best things to do on a day out in Eynsford
Start at Eynsford’s famous ford
The ford is one of Eynsford’s best-known features, and it’s easy to see why. The River Darent runs through the village beneath a historic bridge, with the water and surrounding buildings making a particularly picturesque scene. It's very popular, so my advice would be to consider visiting in the shoulder seasons. May and October are great months to consider if you’d prefer to avoid the summer crowds.
Once you’ve taken in the ford, give yourself time to look around the village itself. There are historic buildings throughout Eynsford, and the river is a lovely feature to follow as you make your way through the centre.
Discover Eynsford Castle
One of the things visitors don’t always find is Eynsford Castle. The ruins are just behind the High Street, and it’s well worth a visit. The castle is a rare example of an early Norman enclosure castle. Rather than having the prominent keep you might expect from a medieval castle, its principal defence was an extensive curtain wall, parts of which still stand today. The site is managed by English Heritage and admission is free.
Plan your visit to Eynsford Castle
Take the quieter walk from Eynsford to Shoreham
If I were recommending one walk for someone who wanted to experience the countryside around Eynsford, I’d suggest heading towards Shoreham through the dry valley. From Eynsford station, turn right and head south. You can walk up through the valley, continue over the downs and drop down into Shoreham, where you can catch the train back.
It’s a route I particularly like because it takes you away from the busier village centre and into the surrounding landscape. It’s lovely because it’s very quiet and peaceful and the scenery is a big part of the appeal. You’re walking through chalk grassland, with sweeping downs around you and a sense of space that’s quite different from the village itself.
My tip is to do this walk in early summer if you can. June is a particularly good time to consider, when the wildflowers are out and you can see buttercups and other flowers across the grassland. It’s the time of year when I think this landscape is at its best.
Make time for Lullingstone Country Park
Lullingstone Country Park is another good reason to spend a day in and around Eynsford. The park has marked walking routes, a café, and outdoor activities for families. There are also wildflower areas that can be particularly attractive in summer.
One of the things I find especially interesting about the park is its collection of veteran trees. The landscape was once part of an estate, and the park is known for its ancient oaks and sweet chestnuts. Some of these trees are enormous, with trunks that give you a real sense of their age.
The Victorian artist Samuel Palmer, who lived in Shoreham, also painted at Lullingstone Park. I’ve worked on an exhibition about Palmer, so I find that connection between the landscape and its artistic history particularly interesting.
My tip here is that if you’re visiting in wet weather, be prepared for muddy paths, especially in winter. The park is a place to enjoy on foot, so suitable footwear makes a difference. For families, there are marked walks with activities along the way, including a trail with a zip wire!
Visit Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden
If you’re interested in gardens, you’ll love Lullingstone Castle and its World Garden. The castle has been associated with the same family for centuries and the World Garden was created by Tom Hart-Dyke, whose interest in plants developed into a garden featuring species from around the world.
There’s a fascinating story behind its creation. While travelling in South America, Tom was taken hostage and held for months. During that time, he imagined what he could do with the walled garden at home, drawing up plans for a garden representing plants from different parts of the world.
When I first visited around 20 years ago, the garden was still in its early stages. It has since developed considerably, with mature planting and a cactus house among its features. You can move from one part of the garden to another and encounter plants from very different climates. The castle grounds are also worth exploring, including the riverside setting and the restored bath house.
Visit Castle Farm for lavender and local produce
Castle Farm sits between Eynsford and Shoreham, and you can approach it from either village. Personally, I’d recommend approaching from Shoreham if you’re travelling on foot. The route allows you to walk alongside the river and avoids some of the less convenient road crossings.
Alongside its farming operation, Castle Farm has become particularly well known for lavender, with July the best time to visit. The farm holds a lavender festival, and seasonal activities can include walking among the lavender rows enjoying the beautiful fragrance.
Sunflowers are grown after the lavender, and the farm produces its own lavender oils and other products, including lavender ice cream. It also has an award-winning farm shop selling local produce and other goods.
Getting to Eynsford by train
One of the best things about visiting Eynsford is that you can arrive by train and explore the village and surrounding countryside on foot. Eynsford has its own station, with the village centre around a 10-minute walk away. It’s a good base for a day out combining the ford, historic sights and countryside walks. If you live in South London or other parts of Kent, it's particularly convenient to take the train to Eynsford.
You can also make your day more flexible by travelling between stations and walking back. For example, you could start at Eynsford, walk over the downs towards Shoreham and catch the train home from there.
For me, the appeal of Eynsford is that you can enjoy the well-known village sights and then carry on into a much wider landscape of chalk grassland, woodland, historic estates and neighbouring villages. You don’t have to do everything in one day. Choose the walk that appeals most, allow time to enjoy the village itself, and leave room to see a little more of the Darent Valley along the way.
